Eriez, Dominion-Carolina mark 65th anniversary of partnership

2012 marks the 65th year of partnership between Eriez and High Point, North Carolina-based sales representative company Dominion-Carolina. “Eriez’ partnerships with a number of United States sales representative companies go back more than 50 years, but our 65 year relationship with Dominion-Carolina is our longest,” Charlie Ingram, vice president of sales and marketing, says in a press release.

The Eriez/Dominion-Carolina relationship dates back to 1947 when Bob Merwin, son of Eriez founder O.F. Merwin, and Dean Thomas, a retired school teacher who ultimately formed Dominion-Carolina, initiated the partnership with a handshake. “To think Eriez was just a five-year-old company when the partnership started is absolutely amazing,” says Ingram. “The fact that 2012 is the anniversary of Eriez’ 70th year in business as well as our 65th year with Dominion-Carolina makes both milestones more special.”

When Eriez and Dominion-Carolina began working together, Thomas worked for the Henry Hersey Company. Later, when Thomas was made partner, the manufacturers’ representative company was renamed the Hersey-Thomas Company.

Thomas went on to form his own company, which eventually became Dominion-Carolina. Throughout the years, the relationship between Thomas and Eriez remained strong. Thomas stayed active in the business until his death in 1999. Dominion-Carolina remains a family business with Thomas’ stepson, Jeff Carr, today serving as president.

Under Carr’s leadership, the company has expanded and opened branch offices in Richmond, Virginia, Rock Hill, South Carolina and Smith Mountain Lake, Virginia. “We feel incredibly grateful and fortunate for this longstanding, successful partnership,” says Ingram. “While both companies have evolved and grown tremendously over the past 65 years, our relationship has remained solid.”

According to Ingram, it’s the Eriez/Dominion-Carolina customers who enjoy the greatest benefits from the 65 year collaboration. He explains, “It’s uncommon to find a field sales organization with so much experience, even longer than most principal companies have existed,” Ingram says. “Their knowledge and experience is an invaluable asset to our mutual customers.”